INDIE SOAP BEAT: November 11, 2009

In this week's "Indie Soap Beat" feature, we take a look at the latest happenings from around the world of independent soap opera production. The long-awaited debuts of VENICE and GOTHAM are almost here.

VENICE is set to premiere in just over two weeks on November 27. Chappell told We Love Soaps the show would premiere "the Friday after Thanksgiving." Look for a new Chappell interview from the "Day of DAYS" event coming soon. There will be 12 episodes in the first season with each approximately six minutes long. We Love Soaps west coast correspondent Stephanie Burke visited the set of VENICE recently and interviewed several cast members. In case you missed them, here are the links to interviews with Crystal Chappell, Jessica Leccia, Gina Tognoni, Michelle N. Carter, Harrison White, Nadia Bjorlin and Kim Turrisi.

GOTHAM will premiere on Monday, November 23 at 8 p.m. ET on the show's new website at gothamtheseries.com and YouTube. There will a chat from 7-8 p.m. before the show airs. There is also a GOTHAM store now open so you can buy t-shirts or mugs and support indie soap production.

In Part Two of the We Love Soaps interview with REALITY BYTES producers Tristan Rogers and Kate Lang, the duo revealed how the soap is taking a different approach than some of the other shows in seeking financing up front. Rogers said, "It's all about the budget right now. We can't shoot this with zero budget. It's not designed for that. We have some feelers out to sponsors and we'll see how that goes. We've got a really interesting package to present to them."

The second episode of WED-LOCKED, "Backwash," was released on Sunday at Saint-Victor.net. We Love Soaps recently caught up with WED-LOCKED producers and stars Lawrence Saint-Victor (Robert) and Karla Mosley (Denise). If you missed our video interview, you can watch it in three parts here, here and here.

Episode #12 of WORKSHOP, "It's All About Connections," is now online. The comedy was created by Nate Golon and Kimberly Legg and stars former PASSIONS actor Phillip Jeanmarie. In the new episode, Adam has his big meeting with the network executive, Vivian and Sarah find out who booked "Iceberg", and Jeff and Kaitlyn's date continues.

Episode #7 of FANTASY OVER REALITY, "The Third Hayes," is now playing on the show's website. FOR is a web sitcom that revolves around a group of guys and their fantasy football league. Y&R's Vail Bloom, who plays Sarah Smith in the series, has been terrific on the show but does not appear in the new episode.

I don't know if the exact date had been mentioned before but Crystal told us on Saturday in an interview we are publishing soon. The show has talked about "around Thanksgiving" for quite a while though.